FOIA Lawyer in New Orleans and Lafayette
Nationally Recognized Freedom of Information Act Attorney Michael W. Gahagan is one of the nation’s leading experts in FOIA law and litigation. Since 2007, he has been invited by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) to author educational content and speak at national conferences, teaching over 14,000 immigration attorneys how to effectively use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to obtain federal agency records.
As a FOIA lawyer based in Louisiana with offices in Lafayette and New Orleans, Michael has successfully represented hundreds of clients seeking immigration records and litigating FOIA denials in federal court. He is also routinely retained by attorneys across the U.S. to help their clients access critical documents from agencies like USCIS, ICE, CBP, and the Department of State.
Why FOIA Matters in Immigration Cases
Anyone inside the U.S. can submit a FOIA request to a federal agency. Once received, the agency is legally required to respond within 20 working days. If they don’t comply, you have the right to file a federal lawsuit. For immigrants with a complex or unclear case history, filing a FOIA request is often the only way to obtain:
- Full immigration case files
- Internal agency notes or decisions
- Evidence used to deny or delay a petition
- Details on prior deportation or inadmissibility findings
Even if you’ve kept excellent personal records, those won’t include the notes and decisions made by government agents—making FOIA access essential for any legal strategy.
FOIA Litigation & Strategic Representation
If a federal agency ignores or delays your request beyond the legal timeframe, Michael Gahagan is prepared to take action. He is one of the few FOIA attorneys in the U.S. actively filing and winning federal lawsuits under FOIA. He also works with other law firms who need reliable FOIA litigation support to advance their own client matters - immigration-related or otherwise.
Speak With a FOIA Lawyer Who Gets Results
Whether you’re preparing for an immigration application, fighting removal, or are an attorney seeking federal records for a client, Gahagan Law Firm is ready to help. Michael personally handles all FOIA cases and brings decades of experience in both immigration and federal court litigation.
📍 Lafayette Office: (337) 202-5407
📍 New Orleans Office: (504) 766-9137
Schedule your consultation to speak directly with Michael Gahagan about your FOIA request or litigation needs.
